The European Union delegation to Zimbabwe and other heads of missions from Canada and United States have expressed a grave concern on the human rights violations that saw six civilians losing lives in post election violence last week urging the government and the military to act in a constitutional manner that meet international human rights standards.
In a statement released today, the heads of missions said, “The Heads of Missions condemn the violence, attacks, and acts of intimidation targeted at opposition leaders and supporters. These human rights violations have no place in a democratic society and contravene the fundamental tenets of international human rights standards,
“The Heads of Missions urge the government to respect the rights of the Zimbabwean people as enshrined in the constitution. All allegations of incitement of violence or acts of violence, as well as vandalism and destruction of property, should be investigated in accordance with the rule of law, and perpetrators held legally responsible.”
The Australian ambassador to Zimbabwe Bronte Moules weighed in urging the Zimbabwean government to do justice to the victims of post election violence that rocked Harare last week while condemning the unruly behavior of the protesters.
In a statement on the current political situation in the country, Moules said she notes with concern the human rights abuses in the country describing the violence as tragic.
“In this context it was more tragic to see violence and unruly behavior, and excessive use of force by the security forces, on 1 August. Reports of further violence and human rights violations are also deeply concerning.
“We note the increased openness of the 2018 elections. We urge that this be built on through increased transparency and accountability in the interests of achieving justice for victims, resolving disputes-peacefully and through legal channels and repairing trust,” reads the statement.
Moules statement and the international community voice, come on the back of the government’s denial that there is a crackdown on opposition supporters in various suburbs of Harare where the military is alleged to have launched a manhunt to all suspected people who at least participated in the 1 August protest.
Foreign Affairs minister, Sibusiso Moyo yesterday said reports of beating of opposition supporters and abductions were false.
He said investigations indicate that there were no soldiers carrying out such operations in the said locations such as Kuwadzana, Chitungwiza and Dzivarasekwa.
However, senior MDC Alliance officials including Morgan Komichi, Tendai Biti and many others are reportedly in hiding amid allegations that they are being hunted down by the state over last week’s CBD violence.
